Woman struggling with husband's Parkinson's asks premier: 'Get me a doctor'

The Canadian Press   September 22, 2017

Theresa and Walter Zukauskas are shown in Halifax on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. Nova Scotia residents Theresa and Walter Zukauskas learned recently they would lose their family doctor in early November. Zukauskas was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2010. Since then, he has had three different family doctors. His wife immediately called 811 to get on the waiting list but no doctors were available, and she's asking whether the Liberal government has a plan to help her soon."Senior citizens are being pushed aside," she said. "Our needs are not being met. It's as though the government is waiting for us to die." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Tutton

HALIFAX — Theresa Zukauskas says she wants Nova Scotia's premier to find her husband a family doctor as she struggles for the third time in five years to ensure he has proper care for his Parkinson's disease.

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The retired Halifax teacher says it's not acceptable her 75-year-old husband Walter is placed on a waiting list, as she often requires a physician's advice on the telephone for proper medication when his blood pressure plummets.

After learning last month that her latest doctor is leaving in a few weeks, she called the province's 811 telecare service and was told there's no definite time she can get a doctor again, and a suggestion she use walk-in clinics in Halifax.

Zukauskas held a news conference today to say her husband is in a wheelchair and needs care from a physician who can be reached by telephone and has ongoing knowledge of his needs.

As of Sept. 1, 35,777 people — about four per cent of the population — have registered online or by phone with the Nova Scotia Health Authority's Need a Family Practice registry, indicating they do not have a primary care provider.

Health Minister Randy Delorey said at the legislature that the province has created a list that identifies patients' needs that can be provided to doctors they recruit.

The Canadian Press

http://www.thetelegram.com/news/regional/2017/9/22/woman-struggling-with-husband-s-parkinson-s-asks-premier-get-me-a-doctor.html